1. The name Flamjangled: Calling a concert the Flamjangled Tea Party makes it known to all that a good time will be had. I get to sport my neon green wristband with the words Flamjangled on it, and get to watch people's reactions when I tell them the name of the festival. There was also an iconic symbol of an owl, all throughout the festival. There was an owl at the mane stage with neon green twirling eyes. There were owl costumes and cutouts and even a bird cage hanging from a circus tent with an owl in it.
2. The people: The people attending flamjangled were some of the most interesting, chilled out, unique individuals I have ever met. I felt like I was in the U.S around the 70's when all I could see around me were people sporting flowered headbands, crochet tops, messy hair, and flowy pants. Of course though there was always the unique outfits of wedding dresses, angel wings, people on stilts, panda, giraffe, and wolf costumes, glow in the dark sunglasses, strange hats, teacup costumes, leprechaun outfits and much more. People were so kind, and sharing, and up for a good time.
3. The dancing: The first night we arrived there was old school music playing providing a great atmosphere to swing dance. There were also silent black and white films playing in the background for any nostalgic person wanting to get back to their roots. Simon and I also had fun dancing with our shadows in the moonlight. Sunday afternoon the bands were playing away with trumpets, violins, guitars, xylophones, and amazing vocals. I think everyone at flamjangled was dancing in the dust that day, feet making imprints on the ground as bodies swayed to the music that took us back in time. Also another side note, the way people dance here is much classier than typical teen american dancing called "grinding" which I am sure many are familiar with haha. No, people here leave room for uniqueness, space for your arms to swing and your bodies to sway. Space for your feet to stomp and your hands to clap. Freedom.
4.The music: Rap, big band, folk, acapella,singer songwriter, country, and a bit more. The music at Flamjangled had the dust flying in the air when people started moving their feet, linking arms and frolicking around barefooted. One of the biggest bands of the festival, Hot Water,played saturday evening. Hot Water is a band that released their first album in 2006. They seem to represent what life should look like after apartheid, and their music has brought many people together. An older woman with a hot pink wig on was singing and clapping next to us, and she turned and said "This sounds like freedom". And as the people danced and the band sang, my spirit soared. I was alive in the music. Throughout the festival many amazing musicians performed, some soulful, others entertaining, and it was the most interesting, amazing, moving music I have ever heard.
5. The decorations: This was the most well decorated music festival I have ever been to. Circus tents lined the lawn. Big pillows shaped like cupcakes and bananas and other various fruits and desserts were laid down under the tea tent for everyone to play on. A giant metal teacup placed in the middle of the festival was a jungle gym made for all. Clothing bins decorated like people were available for people who wanted to donate their crazy costumes. Wooden horses that people could sit on were placed around a play ground. My favorite part of all was the mysterious door placed in the middle of the lawn that people could walk through and pretend they were entering a different era of time. Colorful flags lined the lake, a giant glow in the dark shower could be spotted from miles away, and how could I forgot the giant VW busses,with gypsy tents surrounding the setup. It was a magical world we were taken to through the wide array of decorations that were set up.
6. The food: The food booths that were set up were one of my favorite parts of the festival. From a van that sold freshly brewed tea, to an ice cream booth with friendly people. Then there was my two favorite, a creperie, selling crepes with scrabbled eggs and sausages to their ever popular dessert crepes. My favorite was the Michelin Man with nutella, coconut roasted marshmallows,and almonds and melted and rolled into the thin pancake that was wrapped up and gone in an instant. And there was also the Pizzeria, making the pizza's right in front of us, freshly baked and put into the clay oven, margherita was my favorite kind overall.
7. The prizes: The announcer for the mainstage just happened to be our tent neighbor, so we definitely picked a great spot to camp. Saturday evening he would give the performers things to throw to the audience, and he himself threw out prizes as well. The perks of being in the front row meant that you could easily get the announcer's attention. I managed to snag ahold of a pink masquerade face mask, a lei,a headband with a feather attached to it like flappers used to wear,and my all time favorite because of the memories they held, would have to be the beer glasses that Brendan (the announcer) took off of his face and personally handed them to me. Now what's a girl to do with beer glasses? I think I will display them in my room as a proud memory of one of the only things I have managed to win in my life.
8. The location: Durbanville is set in gorgeous winelands. We camped right next to a vineyard with grapes lining the fences for miles. There was also a lake for many of the campers to cool off in and to a dip in the refreshing water. Rolling hills created the perfect scene to watch the sun paint the sky orange sand the stars and moon to roll up in the sky.
9. The cleanliness: No one was allowed to bring glass bottles of any kind which was so great because I was never afraid of cutting my foot on anything as I walked around the festival barefoot for the entire weekend. The port-a-potties always had a roll of toilet paper in them and they didn't even smell. Workers were picking up trash everywhere so immediately after anything was dropped, it would be picked up and tossed into the ever so creatively decorated recycling bins.
10. The fact that it happens once a year over my spring break....Sorry mom and dad...I may have spring break plans set...family trip to Flamjangled...I think yes :)
This is a video that was made last year showing what Flamjangled is all about. Take a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fX3LGsYbjk
love love love love loveeeeeeee
-mia
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